Celebration a Go This Weekend

July 10, 2013 12:00 am • Last Updated: July 09, 2013 3:21 pm

By By Brian Boyd

It was getting close-as the Parks & Recreation Department was putting the final touches on this weekend's concerts, picnic, and fireworks extravaganza, Parks & Recreation Director Rick Maynard and fireworks fundraiser-in-chief Adrian Price were almost $1,000 short of the $10,000 mark required to stage the expected pyrotechnics at the Guilford Fairgrounds.

Late last week, an anonymous donor wrote an $885 check, joining a generous community of contributors who help make one of the area's most impressive events go forward on Saturday, July 13.

The celebration begins on the Green at 4 p.m. with the Community Picnic and the Community Band. Families will find an assortment of rides and activities for the kids, courtesy of the Parks & Recreation Department, while the Community Band, directed by Guilford High School Music Director Mark Gahm, plays patriotic tunes. Food vendors will offer a variety of treats and beverages all day.

As the fun on the Green wraps up by 7 p.m., the festivities move to the Fairgrounds, where local bands Words Unspoken, Jeffrey's Mother, Raw Revival, and Flat Jones and the Broken Machine (recent Battle of the Bands contestants) will play until fireworks begin after 9:15 p.m.

In case of rain, the picnic festivities will be canceled and the bands and fireworks moved to Sunday, July 14. Visit www.ci.guilford.ct.us or call 203-453-8068 for more information and weather details.

Meet the Donors

For the third year in a row, residents Price, Ray Luden, and Ed Bartlett have stepped up to fill the funding gap left when the town decided to remove the annual fireworks display from its budget. The three have kept the tradition going thanks to their own efforts and due to the continued generosity of the Guilford community.

This year's donors include:

Valuing Change, Inc.

Palumbo's Automotive

Moroso Performance Products, Inc.

The Country Tavern

Fundraiser

Peter and Joy Nagle

KC's Pub

Page Taft-CHRISTIE'S

International Real Estate

James Kohn

National Roofing